Voice of America, 99-04-17

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From: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>

CONTENTS

[01] ALBANIA REFUGEE FLOOD (S ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (KUKES)

[02] ALBANIA/REFUGEES (L ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (KUKES)

[03] MACEDONIA/REFUGEES (L ONLY) -- CQ BY EVE CONANT (BLACE, MACEDONIA)

[04] NATO-ALBANIA (L) BY GIL BUTLER (TIRANA)

[05] NATO-KOSOVO (S&L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

[06] SERB SOLDIER CAPTURED / S-O BY JIM RANDLE (WASHINGTON)

[07] KOSOVO PRISONER (L) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

[08] CLINTON/KOSOVO (L-UPDATE) BY DAVID GOLLUST (BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS)

[09] BRITAIN/KOSOVO (S/L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[10] TURKEY/ELECTION (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

[11] BRITAIN EXPLOSION (L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[01] ALBANIA REFUGEE FLOOD (S ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (KUKES)

INTRO: KOSOVAR REFUGEES POURED CROSS THE BORDER INTO ALBANIA AT AN ALARMING RATE SATURDAY. TIM BELAY REPORTS FROM KUKES IN NORTHERN ALBANIA THAT THE NEW ARRIVALS ALSO BROUGHT TALES OF BRUTALITY BY THE YUGOSLAV MILITARY.

TEXT: THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE -- O-S-C-E -- ESTIMATES AS MANY 25-THOUSAND PEOPLE WILL HAVE ENTERED ALBANIA BY MIDNIGHT SATURDAY.

THE NUMBER IS HIGH BECAUSE SO MANY ARE CROSSING THE BORDER ON FOOT.

A BIG INFLUX CAME FROM PRIZREN, A MAJOR SOUTHERN CITY OF KOSOVO. ARRIVALS FROM THERE TOLD O-S-C-E BORDER MONITORS THEY WERE ORDERED OUT OF THEIR HOMES SATURDAY MORNING WITH THE THREAT THERE WOULD BE MASSACRES IF THEY DID NOT LEAVE IMMEDIATELY.

THE O-S-C-E ALSO HAS RECEIVED REPORTS THAT UP TO 600 ETHNIC ALBANIAN MEN HAVE BEEN QUICKLY AND FORCIBLY RECRUITED TO WEAR YUGOSLAV ARMY UNIFORMS, DIG TRENCHES AND LAY MINEFIELDS AND, THEY SUSPECT, ACT AS DECOYS FOR NATO AIR STRIKES. (SIGNED)
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17-Apr-99 1:59 PM EDT (1759 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] ALBANIA/REFUGEES (L ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (KUKES)

INTRO: REPORTED ATTEMPTS TO CLEAR KOSOVO OF ITS REMAINING ETHNIC ALBANIAN POPULATION ARE CREATING A NEW PHASE IN ALBANIA'S REFUGEE CRISIS. TIM BELAY IS IN KUKES, NORTHERN ALBANIAN, WHERE HE REPORTS HOW THE GOVERNMENT AND RELIEF AGENCIES ARE COPING.

TEXT: MOST OF THE MORE THAN 300-THOUSAND REFUGEES WHO ARE NOW IN ALBANIA PASSED THROUGH THE LOCAL BORDER CROSSING HERE, CALLED MARINA.

THE SIGHT OF WEARY KOSOVARS IN WOODEN TRAILERS TOWED BY TRACTORS HAS BECOME THE DAILY BACKDROP ON THE STREETS OF KUKES FOR MORE THAN THREE WEEKS.

BUT THE SUDDEN INFLUX OF THOUSANDS OF NEW REFUGEES FRIDAY AND SATURDAY HAS CREATED A NEW SET OF CHALLENGES. MANY OF THE NEW ARRIVALS HAVE WALKED FOR THREE OR FOUR DAYS TO REACH ALBANIA, AMONG THEM CHILDREN WHO ARE SHOWING SIGNS OF MALNUTRITION.

DAVID ENDRES IS THE KUKES EMERGENCY TEAM LEADER FOR THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY. HE SAYS THE FAMILIAR PROBLEM OF MOVING REFUGEES AWAY FROM KUKES HAS AGAIN REACHED A CRITICAL STAGE.

THERE ARE 500 OF THESE TRUCKS AND MINIBUSES THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS REQUISITIONED, BASICALLY, AND THESE VEHICLES ARE TRANSPORTING REFUGEES DOWN SOUTH EVERY DAY. TO SOME EXTENT, WE CAN SAY THE GOVERNMENT IS BETTER PREPARED. THEY HAVE ALSO PUT AT OUR DISPOSITION MILITARY TRUCKS, SO THESE CAN BE ADDED TO THE FLEET. BUT WE ARE STILL IN NEED OF TRUCKING CAPACITY.

WATER IS ALSO ONE OF THE MANY REASONS THEY CANNOT STAY HERE IN KUKES.

NORMALLY THE DISTRICT HAS A POPULATION OF AROUND 30-THOUSAND. BUT IT IS NOW HOME TO 100-THOUSAND REFUGEES. THE NUMBERS HAVE MORE THAN OVERWHELMED THE LOCAL WATER RESOURCES.

RELIEF AGENCIES ARE WORKING FRANTICALLY TO HEAD OFF WHAT THEY ARE CALLING A POSSIBLE WATER CRISIS. (SIGNED)
NEB/TB/DW/GE
17-Apr-99 9:18 AM EDT (1318 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] MACEDONIA/REFUGEES (L ONLY) -- CQ BY EVE CONANT (BLACE, MACEDONIA)

INTRO: DESPITE REPORTS THAT THOUSANDS OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS ARE CROSSING INTO ALBANIA AND MONTENEGRO, AT ONE BORDER CROSSING THE FLOW OF REFUGEES WAS NOT SO HEAVY. MORE THAN FIVE-HUNDRED ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES FROM KOSOVO CROSSED THROUGH THE MACEDONIAN BORDER POINT OF BLACE SATURDAY. V-O-A'S EVE CONANT REPORTS, HOWEVER, THAT AIDE WORKERS EXPECT MANY MORE TO ARRIVE IN THE COMING DAYS.

TEXT: SATURDAY WAS A COMPARATIVELY QUIET DAY AT THE BLACE BORDER. ONE OF THE NEW ARRIVALS -- 35 YEAR OLD GEZIM SINANI -- WALKED OVER THE BORDER WITH A SUITCASE IN HAND AND WAS ALLOWED TO KEEP GOING TOWARD THE CAPITAL SKOPJE, WHERE HIS WIFE IS. HE SAYS MORE REFUGEES ARE ON THEIR WAY, BUT THEIR MOVEMENTS ARE TIGHTLY CONTROLLED BY SERB FORCES.

HE SAYS IN THE VILLAGE OF FERIZAI THE POLICE ORDERED SIX BUSES TO TURN AROUND. HE SAYS MAYBE THEY WILL CROSS INTO ALBANIA.

LIEF WINDEMAR, AN O-S-C-E WORKER WHO WAS WATCHING REFUGEES CROSS OVER SATURDAY, SAYS THERE IS A PATTERN TO THEIR MOVEMENT.

IT IS NOT A SURPRISE. THE PATTERN THAT WE HAVE FACED IS THAT IF WE ONE DAY HAVE A BIG NUMBER OF PEOPLE, THE DAY AFTER IS SLOWER. IF THIS PATTERN WILL BE FOLLOWED THERE WILL BE A MAJOR INFLUX TOMORROW.

BUT HE EXPLAINS IT IS DIFFICULT TO SAY HOW MANY NEW REFUGEES MAY COME.

WE DON'T HAVE ANY SPECIFIC NUMBERS THAT WE EXPECT. WE EXPECT EVERYTHING FROM NOTHING UP TO FIVE OR SIX THOUSAND. OUR PROBLEM IS GETTING INFORMATION FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BORDER WHICH IS ACCURATE.

AT LEAST FIVE THOUSAND REFUGEES CROSSED INTO MACEDONIA ON FRIDAY. A U-N-H-C-R SPOKESMAN HAS SUGGESTED UP TO 100-THOUSAND MORE ARE BELIEVED HEADED TOWARD MACEDONIA. (SIGNED)
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17-Apr-99 1:47 PM EDT (1747 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] NATO-ALBANIA (L) BY GIL BUTLER (TIRANA)

INTRO: TOP NATO MILITARY COMMANDER, GENERAL WESLEY CLARK, SAYS SERB INCURSIONS ALONG ALBANIA'S NORTHERN BORDER ARE UNACCEPTABLE, BUT HE STOPPED SHORT OF SAYING NATO WOULD TAKE MILITARY ACTION IF THE CROSS BORDER SERB ATTACKS CONTINUE. V-O-A'S GIL BUTLER REPORTS ON THE NATO COMMANDER'S VISIT TO ALBANIA.

TEXT: /// MUSIC UP THEN UNDER ///

IN THE COURTYARD OF ALBANIA'S MODEST DEFENSE MINISTRY, AN ALBANIAN MILITARY GUARD OF HONOR GREETED GENERAL CLARK AS HE CAME FOR TALKS WITH ALBANIAN POLITICAL AND DEFENSE OFFICIALS.

AFTER A CEREMONIAL SESSION WITH DEFENSE MINISTER LEON HAJDARAGA, GENERAL CLARK TALKED WITH REPORTERS.

THERE HAVE BEEN REPEATED INCIDENTS OF SERB SHELLING AND EVEN A GROUND ASSAULT ACROSS KOSOVO'S BORDER INTO ALBANIA. GENERAL CLARK SAID YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC HAS A PLAN TO THREATEN AND INTIMIDATE NEIGHBORING STATES. HE CALLED THE YUGOSLAV LEADER A DANGER TO REGIONAL STABILITY.

THIS THREAT IS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE. IT IS A VIOLATION OF A SOVEREIGN TERRITORY AND IT NEEDS TO BE STOPPED AND PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC MUST CEASE THIS AGGRESSION.

BUT GENERAL CLARK STOPPED SHORT OF SAYING WHAT NATO WOULD DO IF THE CROSS BORDER AGGRESSION CONTINUES.

I'M NOT GOING TO SPECULATE ON HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONS NOR AM I GOING TO GET INTO THE AREAS THAT HAVE TO BE COVERED BY NATO POLITICAL LEADERS. WHAT WE ARE DOING, OF COURSE, IS CONTINUING WITH, AND INTENSIFYING, NATO'S AIR CAMPAIGN.

GENERAL CLARK SAID FLATLY THAT NATO IS NOT COORDINATING OPERATIONS WITH THE K-L-A, THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY. HE SAID NATO HAS HAD NO COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE K-L-A.

THE NATO COMMANDER SAID A YUGOSLAV OFFICER CAPTURED BY THE K-L-A AND TURNED OVER TO ALBANIAN FORCES, WHO THEN TURNED HIM OVER TO UNITED STATES' CONTROL IS IN AMERICAN CUSTODY, BUT HE SAID HE WAS NOT FREE TO DISCUSS FURTHER PLANS FOR THE PRISONER'S DISPOSITION.

THERE IS AN ALMOST CONSTANT SOUND OF HELICOPTERS OVER ALBANIA'S CAPITAL AS THE BIG TRANSPORT CRAFT CARRY RELIEF MATERIAL TO KOSOVAR REFUGEES. BUT ALBANIANS WANT ALSO TO HEAR ANOTHER KIND OF HELICOPTER SOUND -- APACHE ATTACK HELICOPTERS.

NATO'S GENERAL CLARK PROMISED THAT THE APACHES WILL BE HERE SOON, BUT HE REFUSED TO SAY EXACTLY WHEN OR WHERE OR GIVE ANY DETAILS OF WHAT THEY WILL BE DOING. (SIGNED)
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17-Apr-99 1:11 PM EDT (1711 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] NATO-KOSOVO (S&L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: NATO SAYS ITS AIR STRIKES HAVE MANAGED TO KNOCK OUT SEVEN YUGOSLAV TANKS IN THE SERBIAN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO, BUT THE NUMBER OF ALBANIANS LEAVING THE PROVINCE CONTINUES TO MOUNT. V-O-A'S RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM NATO HEADQUARTERS.

TEXT: NATO CONCENTRATED ITS STRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAV TANKS AND ARMORED VEHICLES IN KOSOVO AND SPOKESMAN JAMIE SHEA TELLS REPORTERS THE NATO PLANES KNOCKED OUT SEVEN TANKS.

THESE ARE THE KIND OF LOSSES THAT CLEARLY ARE GOING TO KNOCK THE STUFFING OUT OF THE YUGOSLAV FORCES INSIDE KOSOVO. THEY ARE PART OF A REMORSELESS AND PAINSTAKING APPROACH BY NATO TO DIMINISHING THE KILLING CAPABILITY OF THOSE FORCES.

AT THE SAME TIME, NATO NOTES THAT THE SERBS IN KOSOVO ARE MANAGING ANOTHER HARSH ROUND OF ETHNIC CLEANSING OF ALBANIANS. NATO HAS REPORTS THAT 100-THOUSAND MORE ALBANIANS ARE ABOUT TO BE EXPELLED ACROSS THE BORDER.

SPOKESMAN SHEA SAYS THE SERBS ARE SHOWING NO MERCY.

BELGRADE HAS CONTINUED TO SHOW ITS NO MERCY POLICY TOWARD THOUSANDS OF KOSOVAR ALBANIANS. THERE HAVE BEEN AGAIN EXPULSIONS, ROBBERY, THE BURNING OF HOMES AND EVEN THE BURNING OF LIVESTOCK, WHICH HAS BEEN MAKING IT PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT FOR THOSE STILL IN KOSOVO, OF COURSE, TO FEED THEMSELVES AND TO SURVIVE.

NATO'S AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY HAS SHOWN ANOTHER POSSIBLE MASS GRAVE SITE IN KOSOVO, THIS ONE NEAR IZBICA NORTHWEST OF THE REGIONAL CAPITAL OF PRISTINA. A SPOKESMAN SAYS IT CONTAINS 150 BODIES. MR. SHEA ESTIMATES THAT 32-HUNDRED ALBANIANS HAVE BEEN MURDERED IN KOSOVO IN THE LAST THREE WEEKS AND THAT 200 VILLAGES HAVE BEEN DESTROYED.

DESPITE THESE FIGURES, NATO STILL CANNOT DETERMINE WHETHER ITS PLANES WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR KILLING SCORES OF REFUGEES ON THE DJAKOVICA-PRIZREN ROAD LAST WEDNESDAY. MR. SHEA SAYS HE HAS NOT BEEN GIVEN ANY NEW INFORMATION SINCE REVEALING THAT ONE NATO PLANE HIT ONE POSSIBLE TRACTOR NORTH OF WHERE ALL THE CASUALTIES HAVE BEEN FOUND. (SIGNED)
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17-Apr-99 11:14 AM EDT (1514 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] SERB SOLDIER CAPTURED / S-O BY JIM RANDLE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY A YOUNG SERB OFFICER IN THE CUSTODY OF U-S TROOPS IN ALBANIA IS IN GOOD PHYSICAL CONDITION. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM WASHINGTON, THIS IS THE FIRST YUGOSLAV PRISONER OF WAR IN NATO HANDS.

TEXT: THE LIEUTENANT -- A PLATOON LEADER -- WAS CAPTURED BY KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY REBELS THE NIGHT OF APRIL 13TH, TURNED OVER TO ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND IS NOW IN U-S CUSTODY.

PENTAGON SPOKESWOMAN SUSAN HANSEN SAYS THE GENEVA CONVENTION -- WHICH SETS RULES FOR TREATING CAPTURED SOLDIERS --- ALLOWS WARRING NATIONS TO EXCHANGE PRISONERS. BUT SHE SAYS THE U-S SIDE HAS NOT DECIDED WHETHER TO TRY TO ORGANIZE SUCH A SWAP FOR THREE U-S SOLDIERS IN SERB CUSTODY.

U-S OFFICIALS COMPLAIN YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES HAVE NOT PERMITTED INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES, SUCH AS THE RED CROSS, TO VISIT THE CAPTIVE AMERICANS, AS REQUIRED BY INTERNATIONAL LAW.

PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY THEY WILL STRICTLY ABIDE BY THE GENEVA CONVENTION RULES IN THEIR TREATMENT OF THE SERB PRISONER. (SIGNED).
NEB / WD / WD
17-Apr-99 12:17 AM EDT (0417 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] KOSOVO PRISONER (L) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

INTRO: U-S OFFICIALS SAY A CAPTIVE YUGOSLAV ARMY OFFICER IS IN GOOD CONDITION AND HAS BEEN VISITED BY THE RED CROSS AND A DOCTOR. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON WHERE OFFICIALS ARE TRYING TO DRAW A SHARP CONTRAST BETWEEN NATO'S TREATMENT OF PRISONERS AND THEIR FATE AT THE HANDS OF YUGOSLAV CAPTORS.

TEXT: THE YOUNG SOLDIER WAS SEIZED BY THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY, WHO TURNED HIM OVER TO ALBANIAN OFFICIALS. THEY HANDED HIM OVER TO U-S OFFICIALS WHO ARE NOW HOLDING HIM AS A PRISONER OF WAR.

PENTAGON SPOKESMAN MIKE DOUBLEDAY WOULD NOT RELEASE THE SOLDIER'S NAME OR PICTURE, SAYING USING CAPTIVE SOLDIERS FOR PROPAGANDA PURPOSES MIGHT VIOLATE THE GENEVA CONVENTION, WHICH SETS RULES FOR TREATING WAR PRISONERS. CAPTAIN DOUBLEDAY SAYS YUGOSLAVIA HAS NOT SHOWN SUCH CARE FOR THREE AMERICANS CAPTURED NEAR THE MACEDONIAN BORDER WITH YUGOSLAVIA.

CAPTAIN DOUBLEDAY SAYS THE GENEVA RULES WOULD PERMIT THE TWO SIDES TO EXCHANGE PRISONERS, BUT HE SAYS BELGRADE'S TREATMENT OF CAPTIVES DOES NOT MAKE HIM OPTIMISTIC ABOUT SUCH A DEAL. MEANTIME, PENTAGON OFFICIALS HAVE BOOSTED THEIR ESTIMATE FOR THE EXTRA COSTS OF THE AIR WAR AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA BY ABOUT TWO BILLION DOLLARS. SO THEY WILL GO TO CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES NEXT WEEK TO ASK FOR AN EXTRA SIX BILLION DOLLARS TO PAY FOR EXTRA FUEL, BOMBS, AND DANGER PAY FOR TROOPS. (SIGNED).
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17-Apr-99 5:08 PM EDT (2108 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] CLINTON/KOSOVO (L-UPDATE) BY DAVID GOLLUST (BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS MET WITH FAMILY MEMBERS OF ONE OF THE THREE U-S SOLDIERS CAPTURED BY YUGOSLAV TROOPS ALONG THE KOSOVO-MACEDONIA BORDER MARCH 3IST. IT CAME ON A DAY OF STOPS IN MICHIGAN AND MASSACHUSETTS DOMINATED BY THE KOSOVO CRISIS. VOA'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS.

TEXT: MR. CLINTON MET PRIVATELY AT AN AIRBASE OUTSIDE DETROIT WITH THE FATHER AND SEVERAL OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS OF ARMY SERGEANT CHRISTOPHER STONE.

WHITE HOUSE OFFICIALS SAID MR. CLINTON PLEDGED TO DO HIS BEST TO BRING SERGEANT STONE AND HIS TWO FELLOW CAPTIVES HOME SAFELY -- WHILE BOTH THE PRESIDENT AND THE FAMILY EXPRESSED FRUSTRATION THAT THE INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS HAS BEEN DENIED ACCESS TO THE THREE AMERICANS.

AT THE MICHIGAN FACILITY, MR. CLINTON ALSO DELIVERED PERSONAL THANKS TO SOME 50 U-S AIR FORCE RESERVISTS WHO HAVE VOLUNTEERED FOR DUTY IN THE BALKANS. AND HERE IN BEDFORD, THE PRESIDENT TOLD PERSONNEL AT HANSCOM AIR FORCE -- AN ELECTRONIC WARFARE CENTER -- THAT THEIR WORK IS VITAL TO HOPES FOR A PEACEFUL EUROPE IN THE NEXT CENTURY:

THE UNITED STATES AND OUR EUROPEAN ALLIES ARE DOING OUR VERY BEST TO STAND UP AGAINST THE KIND OF ETHNIC CLEANSING AND HATRED OF PEOPLE BASED ON THEIR ETHNIC OR RELIGIOUS BACKGROUND THAT IS AN ANATHEMA TO US HERE IN THIS COUNTRY, AND IS JUST ABOUT THE ONLY FORCE OUT THERE THAT COULD UNDERMINE OUR HOPES AND DREAMS THAT THE NEXT CENTURY WILL BE THE MOST PEACEFUL AND PROSPEROUS TIME THAT HUMANITY HAS EVER KNOWN.

IN MICHIGAN, MR. CLINTON ALSO MET WITH ALBANIAN-AMERICAN LEADERS AND MEMBER OF PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED IN KOSOVO RELIEF EFFORTS. HE ANNOUNCED THE U-S MILITARY WILL SET UP A NEW FACILITY IN ALBANIA TO CARE FOR AS MANY AS 20-THOUSAND KOSOVO REFUGEES. AND THOUGH HE GAVE NO SPECIFICS, HE SAID THE UNITED STATES WILL DO ALL IT CAN TO HELP THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS HOMELESS AND TRAPPED WITHIN KOSOVO ITSELF.

MR. CLINTON SAID HE UNDERSTANDS THE STRONG FEELINGS ALBANIAN-AMERICANS HAVE ABOUT WHAT IT'S OCCURRING IN KOSOVO. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, HE SAID IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR AMERICANS NOT TO DEVELOP A BIAS AGAINST SERBS -- MOST OF WHOM, HE SAID, SUPPORT A DEMOCRATIC SERBIA AND ARE NOT BEING TOLD THE TRUTH ABOUT WHAT IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING IN KOSOVO:

OUR QUARREL IS NOT WITH THE SERBS IN SERBIA, IT IS NOT WITH THE SERBS IN KOSOVO, IT IS NOT WITH SERBIAN-AMERICANS. IT IS WITH THE LEADERSHIP OF A PERSON WHO BELIEVES IT IS ALL RIGHT TO KILL PEOPLE AND TO UPROOT THEM AND TO DESTROY THEIR FAMILY RECORDS AND ERASE ANY RECORD OF THEIR PRESENCE IN A LAND, SIMPLY BECAUSE OF THEIR ETHNIC HERITAGE.

MR. CLINTON WAS GREETED IN DETROIT BY TWO KOSOVO-RELATED DEMONSTRATIONS BY HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE -- ONE, A LARGELY SERBIAN-AMERICAN CROWD OPPOSING THE NATO AIRSTRIKES, AND THE OTHER MOSTLY ALBANIAN-AMERICAN AND IN FAVOR OF THE AIR CAMPAIGN.

THERE WERE NO INCIDENTS. AND MR. CLINTON -- WHO SAW BOTH CROWDS FROM HIS PASSING MOTORCADE -- CALLED THEM A POSITIVE EXAMPLE OF AMERICAN PLURALISM AND TOLERANCE. (SIGNED)
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16-Apr-99 10:13 PM EDT (0213 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] BRITAIN/KOSOVO (S/L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: A WEEK BEFORE NATO'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY SUMMIT, BRITISH OFFICIALS SAY THE NATO AIR STRIKES ARE SERIOUSLY DAMAGING THE YUGOSLAV MILITARY CAPABILITIES IN KOSOVO PROVINCE. BUT THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THE SERB MILITARY HAS NOT YET BEEN STOPPED. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN HAS MORE FROM THE DAILY BRIEFING IN LONDON.

TEXT: NATO'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION IN WASHINGTON WAS SUPPOSED TO FOCUS ON THE FUTURE OF THE ALLIANCE. NOW THE MEETING WILL BE OVERSHADOWED BY THE KOSOVO CRISIS.

ARMED FORCES MINISTER DOUG HENDERSON SAYS NATO ALLIES WILL HAVE TO ASSESS THE IMPACT OF NEARLY ONE MONTH OF AIR STRIKES AGAINST THE SERB MILITARY AND DISCUSS WHAT COMES NEXT.

WE'LL BE LOOKING AT HOW WE CAN INTENSIFY THE ACTION IF THERE'S NO BREAKTHROUGH BY THAT TIME. WE'LL BE CONTINUING TO RESTATE THE VERY REASONABLE CONDITIONS WHICH NATO HAS OUTLINED, WHICH IS REQUIRED TO BRING AN END TO THE ACTION.

BRITISH CHIEF OF OPERATIONS IAN GARNETT SAYS THE AIR STRIKES HAVE DESTROYED A LOT -- BUT NOT ALL -- OF PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC'S MILITARY ASSETS.

YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND, AS HAS BEEN DESCRIBED BEFORE, HIS WHOLE MILITARY STRUCTURE IN SERBIA AND KOSOVO HAS A GREAT DEAL OF REDUNDANCY. SO HE CAN AFFORD TO LOSE A CERTAIN AMOUNT BEFORE HIS WHOLE CAPABILITY IS DESTROYED. FURTHERMORE, IF HE DOESN'T USE HIS RADAR, HIS MISSILES AND OTHER MILITARY UNITS, IF HE GOES TO HIDE THEM, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO DESTROY THEM.

[10] TURKEY/ELECTION (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: : SOME 38 MILLION TURKISH VOTERS ARE EXPECTED TO GO TO THE POLLS SUNDAY TO ELECT A NEW PARLIAMENT AND LOCAL COUNCILS. AS AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA, TURKEY'S LEFTIST PRIME MINISTER, BULENT ECEVIT, IS RUNNING EXACTLY EVEN IN THE PUBLIC OPINION POLLS WITH THE ISLAMISTS WHO WON THE LAST ELECTIONS IN 1995 BUT HAVE SINCE BEEN WEAKENED BY LEGAL CHALLENGES AND INTERNAL DISPUTES.

TEXT: ACCORDING TO RECENT POLLS, MR. ECEVIT IS THE THE MOST POPULAR PRO-SECULAR CANDIDATE. SOME POLLS SHOW HIM SLIGHTLY AHEAD OF THE ISLAMIST VIRTUE PARTY, WHICH COMMANDS THE LARGEST BLOCK IN THE 550-MEMEBER TURKISH PARLIAMENT.

MR. ECEVIT SAW HIS POPULARITY SOAR FOLLOWING THE CAPTURE IN FEBRUARY OF KURDISH REBEL CHIEF ABDULLAH OCALAN BY TURKISH SPECIAL FORCES IN KENYA. EVEN SO, ANALYSTS SAY MR. ECEVIT IS NOT LIKELY TO WIN ENOUGH VOTES TO FORM A GOVERNMENT ON HIS OWN. THEY SAY THE MOST LIKELY GOVERNMENT TO EMERGE FROM SUNDAY'S POLLS WILL BE A COALITION LED BY MR ECEVIT.

ACCORDING TO MANY POLITICAL COMMENTATORS, THE MILITARY'S CONTINUED DISTRUST OF THE ISLAMISTS WILL DISCOURAGE MR. ECEVIT FROM TEAMING UP WITH THE VIRTUE PARTY.

THE FINANCIAL COMMUNITY IN TURKEY IS IN FAVOR OF A COALITION BETWEEN MR. ECEVIT AND MESUT YILMAZ, LEADER OF THE CONSERVATIVE MOTHERLAND PARTY. MR. YILMAZ HEADED THE LAST MINORITY COALITION GOVERNMENT WITH MR. ECEVIT AS HIS DEPUTY UP UNTIL LAST NOVEMBER WHEN A KEY ALLY WITHDREW ITS SUPPORT.

OBSERVERS SAY THE TWO LEADERS ENJOYED A SMOOTH WORKING RELATIONSHIP, WHICH IN TURN LED TO POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC STABILITY IN TURKEY. (SIGNED)
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17-Apr-99 11:39 AM EDT (1539 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] BRITAIN EXPLOSION (L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: AN EXPLOSION IN THE SOUTH LONDON NEIGHBORHOOD OF BRITON HAS LEFT MORE THAN 48 PEOPLE INJURED, MANY SERIOUSLY. POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE OF THE BLAST. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN HAS THE LATEST FROM LONDON.

TEXT: THE BLAST OCCURRED ABOUT FIVE THIRTY IN THE EVENING ON A CROWDED SHOPPING STREET IN FRONT OF A SUPERMARKET. WITNESSES SAY THE AREA WAS CROWDED WITH SHOPPERS AND VISITORS WHO WERE GOING TO ATTEND A NEARBY CONCERT.

SEVERAL OF THE MORE SERIOUSLY INJURED WERE TAKEN TO NEARBY HOSPITALS FOR TREATMENT, INCLUDING A ONE YEAR OLD WHO IS UNDERGOING EMERGENCY SURGERY. POLICE SAY MOST BYSTANDERS WERE SUFFERING FROM SHOCK AND MINOR CUTS FROM FLYING GLASS AND DEBRIS.

POLICE HAVE LAUNCHED AN INVESTIGATION AND SAY IT IS TOO EARLY TO SPECULATE ON THE NATURE OF THE BOMB. NOBODY HAS CLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE EXPLOSION.

SO FAR POLICE DO NOT CONSIDER IT A TERRORIST ATTACK BUT THEY SAY THEY ARE NOT RULING OUT ANYTHING. A BLACK RIGHTS ACTIVIST IN THE SOUTH LONDON NEIGHBORHOOD ALSO SUGGESTED IT COULD BE A RACIALLY MOTIVATED CRIME IN THE PREDOMINANTLY AFRO-CARIBBEAN NEIGHBORHOOD.

WITNESSES TOLD POLICE THE EXPLOSION FIRED NAILS INTO THE CROWDED MARKET STREET. ONE MAN WHO TENDED A STREET STALL TOLD REPORTERS SOMEONE HANDED HIM A SPORTS EQUIPMENT BAG, WHICH HAD BEEN LEFT ON THE STREET. WHEN HE OPENED THE BAG AND LOOKED INSIDE, HE FOUND WHAT LOOKED LIKE AN EXPLOSIVE DEVICE, WRAPPED WITH TAPE AND NAILS.

HE SAID HE MOVED THE BAG AWAY FROM THE STREET AND PLACED IT NEXT TO A BRICK WALL BEFORE IT EXPLODED. BRITAIN'S TOP JUSTICE MINISTER CALLED THE ATTACK AN OUTRAGEOUS AND MINDLESS ACT. (SIGNED)
NEB/LK/CBL
17-Apr-99 7:48 PM EDT (2348 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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